Darcey Bussell: 'Mum sent me to ballet class to control my clumsiness'

My earliest memory is of Weetabix. I lived on them. For my favourite meal, breakfast, I could get through six Weetabix, with milk and sugar, getting them perfect – not too dry, not too mushy. One day, before she went off to work, Mum poured on salt instead of sugar and I was devastated.

I was never allowed in the kitchen, sadly. I was a clumsy child, energetic and knocking into things. I'd spill things and get food down me, so Mum never wanted me in there. If I said I'd help, she'd draw breath. It was a reason she sent me to ballet classes – to control my clumsiness. And to sort out my bendy legs.